Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Oct 20: A total of 1,314 candidates will contest the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections after 61 contenders withdrew their nominations on the final day, according to data released by the Election Commission.

Initially, 1,690 nominations were filed for 121 constituencies spread across 18 districts. After scrutiny, 315 nominations were rejected due to discrepancies, leaving 1,375 valid candidates. Following Monday’s deadline for withdrawals, the number further reduced to 1,314.

Patna district recorded the highest number of withdrawals (9), followed by Darbhanga (8), Begusarai (7), and Gopalganj (6). Other notable withdrawals included Vaishali (5), Muzaffarpur (4), and three each from Siwan, Samastipur, Nalanda, and Buxar.

The nomination process for Phase 1 ran from October 10 to 17, with voting scheduled for November 6.

Meanwhile, nominations for the second phase, covering 122 constituencies in 18 districts, closed at 5 p.m. on Monday. Candidates have until October 23 to withdraw. Polling for this phase is set for November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.

The 2025 Bihar elections are shaping up as a contest between the ruling NDA and the opposition Grand Alliance. The NDA’s seat-sharing includes 101 seats each for the JD(U) and BJP, 29 for LJP (Ram Vilas), and 6 each for HAM and RLM.